Banyan

Aru didn't know about the visitor he had. He immersed himself in his thoughts cooking up plans one after another for his future. 

Soon, he completed the spirit energy transfer with the oak tree. 

[Normal Oak Tree <spirit energy 7.1>]

The three units of spirit energy were entirely conveyed to the oak tree, depleting his body's reserves once again. Fortunately, having recently enjoyed a substantial meal, he avoided succumbing to exhaustion on the spot.

The food he ate was constantly providing him with the energy he needed to sustain himself. 

[Ding] 

[Daily mission completed.] 

The system message of completing the mission was shown. 

[+1 link] 

The reward for the daily mission was granted, leaving Aru with two links at his disposal.

Promptly, Aru retrieved one unit of spirit energy from the oak tree to alleviate his fatigue.

'Sharing spirit energy was the best.' 

'What should I do next? Should I establish another link?' 

Accumulating more links would augment his maximum usable spirit energy. To him, links were akin to batteries, and possessing them outweighed not having them.

'It would be advantageous if I could have portable links. Should I attempt linking with an animal this time?'

Although he hadn't tried before, he knew that he could link with animals. By linking with animals, he could move them around to have a portable spirit energy battery. 

'However, I don't own any animals—no pets, cattle, or poultry. Without ownership, I cannot ensure the safety of the animals. Given the preciousness of the links, I can't casually expend them on creatures I can't protect.'

'Besides that, I don't think linking with animals would be that easy. There might be some kind of resistance when dealing with conscious beings.' 

'Then, the tree and plants I own are the best bet. No one would mess with them as long as I am here.'

'Hold on a moment.'

Suddenly, an idea sparked in Aru's mind.

'I just need to find a lifeform I can link with and guarantee its safety. Isn't there something similar in the tribe?'

Delving into his memories, Aru recollected glimpses of such a life form.

'Even though I don't own it, this fits the criteria,' he thought, finally recalling the lifeform's location.

It was already late in the evening. But it didn't stop Aru. He swiftly got up and headed toward that location.

One way or another, he was determined to establish a link with it—it seemed to be his best bet. However, messing with it could lead to big trouble if someone noticed.

—

After walking for a while, Aru reached a familiar location. It was the shrine he saw during the awakening ceremony. 

The shrine was situated right in the centre of the village. Close to it was the tribal hall and accompanying buildings. North of it was the residential area where the homes of the villagers were situated. 

Aru walked all the way from his home, on the northern end of the village to the shrine to find the thing he was looking for. 

Quickly, he walked towards the back of the shrine. The lifeform he was looking for should be right behind it. 

He took a piece of dried meat from the small bag he tied to his waist. Munching on it, he walked to the back side of the shrine. 

The shrine was small. It was used as the holding place of the trinity totem. After each awakening ceremony, the shaman would move the trinity totem into the shrine. The villagers would occasionally visit the shrine to pray for guidance just before they go to hunt. 

However, Aru didn't care about any of that. His focus was entirely directed towards the small tree he could see behind the shrine. 

The tree was comparatively small. It had a slender trunk with smooth light grey bark. The tree's branches extend outward, showcasing glossy, elliptical leaves that are dark green.

It was different from all the trees he had seen in the village. 

'It's a small banyan tree!' Aru exclaimed. 

'The thin but emerging aerial prop roots give away its identity immediately.' 

'But how can a tropical tree like that grow in a snowy area like this? Even the leaves are green a lush.' 

Aru came across something that makes no sense. But it was a magical world. Overthinking would not benefit him. So he decided to employ his plan, the reason he came to visit the banyan tree.

'System link with the banyan tree.' 

[Rank 1 Banyan tree <Spirit 19 energy>]

[ <no >] 

The information the system showed shocked Aru. The banyan tree was a rank 1 life form. 

'The sacred tree of the boulder tribe is a rank 1 life form. That explains why it can survive the harsh cold climate as a tropical tree.' 

To become a rank 1 warrior. A person had to awaken their spirit and gain the ability to use the spirit energy consciously to strengthen their body. Thus, Aru could assume that the Banyan tree might also have awakened its spirit. 

'The idea was good. But the chance of defeating it or linking with my meagre 3 units of spirit energy now is nonexistential.' 

Aru recognised the fact immediately. But he still had hope that he could do it with enough preparation. 

If he wanted to weaken the banyan tree now, he could pull underhanded tricks like harming the physical body of the tree to decrease the spirit energy it possesses. But, if someone noticed his blasphemous action, he would lose his head. 

It was the sacred tree of the tribe situated right next to the shrine. The tribe takes care of it like it is a god. Often, the hunters would even spray the nutritious blood of spirit beasts near the tree's root to pray for a good hunt 

The tribe prioritized the tree's safety above all else.

A tree like that was not to be messed with. 

'I should give up for now.' Aru was about to give up and leave. 

 But suddenly, A giant hand grasped his shoulder. 

Shocked, he turned around in fright. 

Did he get caught?

Panicked, he tried to move away from the hand. 

But the person was far stronger than Aru expected. The hand forced him to stay still effortlessly. 

"What are you doing?" A familiar elderly voice asked. 

Aru recognised the owner of the voice. He slowly turned to face the person while bowing slightly.

"..." 

It was none other than the shaman. He was looking at the fidgeting figure of Aru curiously. 

"Aru?" He recognised Aru immediately. 

'The shaman knows my name?' Aru thought. But his nervousness decreased realising that he had yet to do anything to the tree. He was not caught in the act. He had no reason to be nervous. 

He quickly calmed himself down and replied. 

"Yes, I am Aru." 

"What are you doing here?" 

'Well, it's not something I can say without losing my head.' He thought before carefully lying. 

"I came to meditate near the sacred tree." The shamelessness of modern man helped him lie through his teeth without a change in his expression. 

"Meditate? I thought you were water element grade 1 bloodline. Unless you have the wood element, there is no benefit to mediating near the sacred tree." The shaman patiently said. He thought the child didn't know it and was willing to teach. 

"If you want to meditate, go near a pond, river or lake to meditate. That would be more helpful due to your high water element affinity." The shaman explained. 

"I understand sir shaman. But I have no other choice. I am young and can't go outside the village alone. Of the places I could think, this is the best place I can meditate in." Aru said with a bright smile. 

The smile touched the shaman's heart. His eyes moistened unknowingly. 

He remembered the child was an orphan. There was no way he could go outside the village and visit the water bodies to meditate without the help of someone else. 

The child was working hard despite his limitations. 

The shaman was thrilled to see the hardworking child. 

This once again assured him that his opinion about the child was correct. Even without talent, Aru would become a great person, the shaman thought. 

"Is it really helpful?" The shaman asked.

"Yes. My mind calms down when I am near the shrine and I can feel the spirit energy becoming easier to mould. This is the best place in the village for me to meditate." 

"That's great. It took me a week to find the best place I could mediate in after awakening. You young ones are quick. Anyway, you can meditate here if you promise me that you won't sneak into the shrine or do something naughty." 

"Is that okay?" 

"If I say so." 

"Thank you, elder shaman." 

"Ha ha ha. Then, you should go home for today. It's late." 

"Okay." Aru was relieved to hear that. He immediately scurried home. 

Although there was some change of plans due to the appearance of the shaman, he got permission to meditate near the sacred tree. He could use this opportunity to link with the sacred tree.

'One day, I would return to defeat you, rank 1 banyan tree. Just wait for me.' He thought as he returned home.